Canine Skin Allergies
A skin allergy or atopic dermatitis is an allergic reaction that develops when a pet is sensitive to something they encounter in their day-to-day living. Three common types of skin allergies are linked to the main allergy triggers: fleabites, food, contact allergens and things within the environment (such as pollen, grasses, and trees). Most dogs with allergic skin conditions have two or more triggers which can make skin allergies complicated to manage.
Here are the 3 most common causes of skin allergies in dogs
Flea allergy
If your dog is allergic to flea bites, it will have an exaggerated reaction every time they are bitten, similar to a person allergic to mosquitoes. Even one flea bite can cause an intense allergic reaction and initiate itching which can last for a long time. If your dog has a flea allergy, they are likely to develop a rash, scabs and hair loss around their inner thighs and lower back. Luckily, we do not see flea allergies often in the UAE as flea infestations are not very common.
Food allergy
If your dog is allergic to something in their food, they are likely to develop skin problems and tummy upsets. Red, itchy skin, soft stools, diarrhoea and wind (farts) are all common symptoms of a food allergy. Symptoms in general develop as of 3 months of age. Food allergy symptoms will stay as long as the allergen is in its food content. Identifying which food causes the allergy and excluding it from the diet is therefore an important goal, which unfortunately is not always easy to achieve.
Environmental allergy
If your dog has an allergy to something in the environment, such as pollen, trees, dust mites or grass, he/she is likely to develop itchy skin at certain times of the year. Symptoms are often worse during spring and summer, similar to humans with hay fever, but can also be unrelated to pollen season.
Many dogs with skin allergies are allergic to more than one of the above mentioned allergens.
Symptoms of allergic skin problems can affect any area of skin but most typically affect the ears, eyes, elbows, lumbar area, paws, and belly. Common symptoms include itchy skin, rashes, ear infections, overgrooming and saliva staining (stained fur), hair loss (alopecia), Dark and thickened skin, infections, weepy eyes, and acute moist dermatitis (or hot spots).
If your dog is allergic to something in their food, they may also suffer as well from mild tummy problems such as soft stools, diarrhoea and/or wind (farting). It’s important to contact your vet if your dog has a skin problem because left untreated, skin allergies can have a serious effect on your dog’s health and quality of life.
If your dog regularly has ear infections a good investigation into his or her food is important as often a food allergy can be at the origin of all the problems.
There is no cure for allergic skin conditions but most dogs are well managed with treatment from your veterinarian. Treatment is likely to include the following:
- If your dog is allergic to something within the environment
Avoid walks when the pollen count is high and stay on pavements. Rinse your dog’s coat after a walk on the grass. Avoid sprays (except flea sprays) in the household. Vacuum and dust regularly. - If your dog is allergic to flea bites
Keep your dog (and all other pets) up to date with their treatment and remember to treat your house as well. - If your dog is allergic to something in their food
Feed them a special food recommended by your vet. Avoid any treats other than those recommended by your vet.
Steroids and other ‘anti-itch’ tablets can be used to calm your dog’s skin and reduce the itch. Steroid skin spray or ointment can be used alongside tablets to calm particularly itchy areas of skin. Antibiotics may be needed if your dog has a secondary bacterial skin infection (pyoderma), and eardrops may be necessary if your dog’s ears are affected. Medicated shampoos are also very useful to calm down the skin and keep secondary infections under control.
If you have found out what your dog’s allergies are through testing, tailored injections (also called immunotherapy) can be made to reduce the reaction they have. The injections work slowly over time and may need to be given regularly for the rest of your dog’s life. Immunotherapy doesn’t work for every dog and medication is often still needed to reduce symptoms or flare-ups.
Skin supplements aim to improve skin health and help some (but not all) dogs. You can buy skin supplements from your vet practice, pet shops and online. Although there is no cure for a skin allergy, with the right treatment, your dog will be able to live a long, happy, itch-free life. They might have ‘flare-ups’ from time to time, but these can usually be quickly resolved with some additional treatment from your vet.
Ectoparasites prevention is also important, make sure this is up to date as ectoparasites may damage the skin even further. Treatment for allergic skin disease is often regularly required and can become costly. There is often more than one treatment option, so if one doesn’t work for you and your pet then we may be able to offer another.
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